Elmhurst YMCA's New Sports Director Making Goals for the Win

Nick Cronin has been an athlete since childhood and a coach since adolescence. Naturally, his role as the sports director at the Elmhurst YMCA fits him like a batting glove.

Before starting at the Elmhurst Y in 2016, Nick had a dozen years of experience working in recreation settings, including parks, schools, private leagues and a stint as the sports supervisor at the Naperville Sports Complex YMCA. He has coached a wide variety of team sports at the college, high school, and youth levels, working with players from beginning to elite levels.

Since starting at the Elmhurst Y in early 2016, Nick has rolled out several new programs as well as maintained some beloved standbys.

New programs include a youth speed and agility clinic for kids ready to raise the bar on themselves; a youth introductory sports clinic for kids newer to sports; adult volleyball and basketball leagues; and a pickelball league. What’s pickelball, you ask? It’s a net game that uses lighter equipment than tennis and is slower moving than badminton--excellent for older adults.

Popular yearly favorites include basketball leagues, basketball clinics, and skating lessons. Winter youth and high school basketball leagues offer one practice a week and one refereed game a week, with a tournament at the end of the season. The Y also offers traveling basketball leagues for youth and adult co-ed basketball leagues. Other offerings include volleyball, flag football, and hockey, with options for every age and skill level.

All told, the Elmhurst Y’s sports offerings make good on the Y’s commitment to health and fitness at all levels of learning and all stages in life.

Nick loves seeing that “click” of understanding when he is coaching or playing sports with children. Sports, Nick says, are an important part of making friends, being part of a community, even performing well in school. “I am very excited to be a part of the Elmhurst YMCA and all of the programs we provide to our community,” says Nick. “I hope I can do my part to make an impact on the Elmhurst Community and the YMCA!”

No worries on that, Nick. You already have.

For schedules and registration information, just click here.